The complexity of the nervous system
Neuroscientist, Sandra Aamodt, has studied the brain during dieting. In her research, she suggests that the brain is hard-wired for survival with a proposed set-range of between ten to fifteen pounds for a healthy weight. This leeway allows for our lifestyle choices to not permanently influence our body's weight.
The hypothalamus is a section in the middle of our brain responsible for production of many essential hormones and chemical substances that help control different organs and cells. It has more than a dozen signals to control weight gain and more than a dozen to lose it.
"The hypothalamus is like a thermostat," she explains in one of her Ted Talks. "It will work to keep weight stable as conditions change so the brain will respond to weight loss by pushing the body back to what it considers normal."
Sandra suggests that these set points can go up when individuals become overweight, but rarely does it go down which is why it is fairly easy to put weight back on following yo-yo dieting.
"It is a lot harder for our hypothalamus to control weight when outside of this range. Having mindful eating behaviours would be a better way for the brain's weight-regulation system to maintain a stable and healthy weight for most people- if allowed to do its job without interference from dieting and other short-sighted slimming strategies."
"Start concentrating on regular exercise, good food choices and stress reduction instead."
So if dieting isn't the best way to go, what should we do instead to lose weight?
Getty Bodo A. Schieren
Yo-yo dieting is probably not your answer- simple. Losing weight should be a lifestyle change, meaning gradual changes that you are able to sustain are a better option. Like the hare and the tortoise, slow and steady wins the race.
Eating carbs - such as breads, rice, pasta and refined sugars- would be better when you are more active. This is because these foods require more energy to breakdown into their simple sugars. When you exercise, your metabolism speeds up; breaking down these foods more efficiently without being stored as fat. Changing rate of metabolism may actually be all you need to lose weight.
As diets are often restrictive and repetitive, essential nutrients can be missed. Eating a variety of food is therefore important- it also helps with not getting bored and keeping that mind positively associated to food.
If you know you are going out for a tasty meal or a big celebration where you will be having a glass or two (or three), then make sure you factor this into your daily allowance of calories. This will avoid exceeding calorie intake and storing excess as fat. The odd day wouldn't hurt, but this is often a cause to putting on the pounds when done regularly.
People who exercise are found to lose more weight when dieting. Exercise is an essential part for burning fat, building muscle and manipulating metabolism. So don't forget to get the heart rate up too.
Last tip is to remember that having a healthy mental and physical well-being is essential in reducing weight. Reducing your stress levels and getting plenty of sleep may be your final steps to helping keep off the pounds.
Related Article
A guide to the eating disorders you may not have heard of
Continue reading here:
Why diets don't work - NetDoctor - Netdoctor
